Why Spanish-language voting ballots are critical for democracy, advocates say

ABC News / Disney ^ | January 14, 2022 | By Abby Cruz andCristina Corujo

[PghBaldy]

My ancestors spoke French, German, Slovak and Polish. Most were illiterate when they came here legally. The Spanish speakers should do what I would do in their situation - Write down the names of people I would want to vote for, or memorize what it looks like.

[Allegra]

These low-information government boot-lickers keep using the word “democracy.” I don’t think they know what it means.

[slorunner]

“If you cannot speak english, you are not informed enough to vote here. “ YOU ARE EXACTLY CORRECT!!! I remember being taught growing up (in NEW YORK) that that was the reason for the English requirement for citizenship, so that a few demagogues could not bully immigrants of who did not have access to the whole range of discourse in the country and therefore make informed decisions.
This is more of the ongoing campaign to divide and Balkanize this country by defining everyone by what divides us, not by what unites us.

[Lurkinanloomin]

Citizenship is required for voting

English is required for citizenship.

Ballots need not be in any other language.

[Bookshelf]

In the late nineteen thirties the book “The Education of Hyman Kaplan” provides a number of interesting vignettes centered around a class of immigrants being taught English. The students from many countries had one thing in common; they loved America. They would do anything, and most importantly expend every endeavor to learn English and thus become an integral part of a great nation. My, how times change.

[LegendHasIt]

OK, I can see why for the more complicated ballot issues like issuing public obligation bonds and other spending programs, some people might want it explained in their native language...

But for electing people.... Isn’t Joe Biden’s name the same in Spanish , Tagalog, Arabic, Bantu etc as it is in English? Isn’t Donald Trumps name the same? etc.?

[Svartalfiar]

"When we look at the language barrier, it is voter suppression, right? It is discriminatory against eligible citizens who ... have the right to access ballots," said League of United Latin American Citizens Chief Executive Director Sindy Benavides.

And how many legitimate citizens does he know that don't speak English? English proficiency is a requirement for immigration, and anyone with citizen parents would be growing up with English. There are only TWO reasons a citizen wouldn't speak English:

1) You came here, don't speak English, and you're over a certain age (50) during that process. But of course, you had to have been a permanent resident for TWENTY years (fifteen years if you're 55+) to receive that exemption, so how you don't know any English, I don't know. These people will be few and far between, as most that fall under this category would likely learn a decent bit of English while naturalizing. Also, there's probably not that many of these people to begin with.

2) Your (citizen) parents are idiots and didn't teach you and your siblings English. I would bet there's more cases of Democrat-admitted election fraud than there are people in this situation.

[ridesthemiles]

I left So Calif almost 29 years ago.

IIRC, ballots we1e being printed in 63 languages & dialects.

[ridesthemiles]

I left So Calif almost 29 years ago.

IIRC, ballots were being printed in 63 languages & dialects.

[Captain Compassion]

There are 7,117 languages spoken in the world. How many will be used to print ballots? Will they discriminate with us Basques?

[Roccus]

Isn’t speaking English a reuirement[sic] of citizenship?
________________________________________________________________________

Not for Puerto Ricans.

[Leep]

Democracy must be the opposite of racism.

[elpadre]

Doesn’t naturalization require knowledge of the English language any longer???

Ballots should be in English only.

[Maris Crane]

Brazilians, who are numerous, is one country I know.

The author of the headline should speak to that.

Though the languages are similar, they are definitely different. We might be attracting many of both.

[Bellhead]

I grew up on the border and most Hispanics that are born or raised in this country are fluent in English and we all used to laugh at signs being put up in English and Spanish as a waste of time and money. So what good are these ballots going to be printed in both languages other than allow an interpreter to steer the votes to where they want?